One Day: Bookclub Blogger Book Review

This months bookclub blogger's book choice was mine! You can head to The Daily Snapshot to check out the linked reviews and read more about the book (and join the bookclub, yeah?). So, that being said, I really liked it! I chose it because I really appreciated some of the themes and I thought that everyone could take away some valuable messages from it, or at the very least, it would make the readers think. It is by all means, not one of those books you'd take with you on a train or to a coffee shop to make yourself look smart (you know what i'm talking about!) - it's easy to read - good vacation book. I only say that I liked it though - because of the ending. I hadn't been that angry or annoyed with a books ending in a really long time (if ever?). So...just so you know.

Anyway, it's a story about Emma and Dexter, who meet on the night of their graduation, and it follows their lives and friendship throughout the next 20 years as they grow, learn, make mistakes, etc. But most of all, it's one of those stories that centers around being in love with a person, bad timing, things left unsaid, losing trust in another person, all things that are real and not very storybook.

What I liked most of all about it is that I could relate to the characters in some ways. They graduate as idealistic college students and begin life in the "real world" and they deal with real world things. Time passes and Emma deals with lack of confidence and low motivation to work towards what she really wants. She struggles. She's not perfect. She complains - it's not attractive but it's real. She loves someone who takes her for granted, etc. Dexter is a partier, cocky, ridiculous, insufferable sometimes - all the things that if we met someone in real life - we'd completely judge him the way that Dex is judged. But here we are also able to see his sensitive side - the side that is hard for him to tap in to and that he struggles to keep in touch with as his life spirals out of control and I couldn't help but feel bad for him.

The characters can be frustrating, or maybe the writing style might not appeal to you - but if you read it, I encourage you to think about the overall themes. I like that it made me think about my life and what I'm doing with it. About things I'm leaving unsaid and why? Or people I'm taking for granted. And how it reminded me that my life is huge but at the same time it's finite - and to make the most of it.

I love and couldn't agree more with what Molly said in her review, "Nicholls provides beauty and hope mixed in with his character's sorrow." Isn't that what life is made of?

hi krystal! first, thank you so much for your sweet comment on the boot! that was nice of you :) second, i absolutely love the idea of the blogging book club! if i can find this in my little italian bookshop i would love to read it!marissa

I really like your review. I've never heard of this book before. Do you get your books here from the internet, library, friends, or did you already have them? My reading has diminished so much since moving here!

okay sister, i am gonna pick up this book today. no worries, i read book not to look smart, i already am smart! ha ha i can read trashy magazines too in public and not ashamed of it. i'm loving the plot of this book already, some parts of it, remind me of my life back in my younger days.

I love reading book reviews. This one sounds right up my alley--I love novels that center around the complexity of relationships. I read so little during the school year because I spend so much time reading for my curriculum, etc. but one of my 2011 goals is to make more time for reading, cause I love it.

for sure interesting, those are my type of books although lately I havent been reading much...shame on me! and yes put a bird on it! hahaha, that comment made me laugh so much. I actually just bought it now online with the white skirt. Please spring, arrive earlier this year!xoxoCAtita

Thanks for your comments! :) & even though I am NOT living in Alaska. I did used to. I was born there & then lived there for 5 years as a pre teen :) Not much has changed where I lived there. & I have visited since.

Thank you so much for picking this book! I'm amazed at how many of the bookclubbers didn't like it... I seriously have had a difficult time finding a bad review of it on the interwebs. Seems weird that it didn't resonate more with the girls. Oh well, guess that's the fun of a bookclub!A Foreign Land {thanks for the shout out!!}

I picked this up merely because Nick Hornby gave it a good review. It was interesting and very entertaining, but there was something in it that didn't quite click with me. I can't remember what it was right now, though :(

Great review! I haven't read this book but your review made me want to read it. I can see how the story pulls you in because of the very realistic situations and the characters' imperfect traits. We all are drawn to something that you can relate to, don't we? Thanks for the insightful post!